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Margaret’s reply was soft and faint. “I know that now.”
“And so, give me your compliance so that I might be able to sleep tonight.”
She finally met her father’s eyes, which were red and misty. There was sincere terror in his expression. Margaret then closed her eyes, for she could not bear to look any longer. “Father, I must tell you something.”
“What is it?”
“I have fallen in love… with another.”
The chilly silence told Margaret exactly how her father was going to respond to this. “And why should that matter now? Have you not listened to a word that I have said?”
“Because it is important!” Margaret said with great conviction. “I want to help you. I really do. But I am in love! I shall not be able to love another.”
The viscount’s eyes narrowed. “And why should it matter if you do not love Lord Darkmoor? This is life and death. If you are not smart enough to realize that, then I will disown you as my daughter.”
Margaret almost had to laugh, for being disowned by her father would perhaps be the best thing that could happen. Still, this business was far too profound and terrifying for her to deny. Her father’s life resided in her hands. Margaret witnessed the death of her mother, and she would not countenance the death of her father.
Oh, but John! John! She loved him so and did not know what the future would be like without him. Could she let him go? Did she have the strength to do what she must to save her father and give up the most cherished thing she had ever known in her life?
“Father… I know what I must do.” Margaret’s chin trembled as she spoke, and tears threatened. Her heart was profoundly breaking. “I shall… marry Lord Darkmoor.”
The viscount clapped his hands together and smiled as though his anguish magically melted away. “I knew that you would come around!”
“But first, hear me speak! I shall never love Darkmoor, and I am only consenting so that I might set you free. And to do so… I shall be in a cave for the rest of my life.”
“Child, you will learn to love Darkmoor. He is a good man.”
“Is he?” Margaret asked bitterly, in disbelief that she had just said what she’d said.
“As far as I can tell. And he is skilled at a game of cards,” the viscount added humorously.
How could her father be resorting to humor at a time like this! Oh, it was abominable. Margaret could not bear to look at him any longer. “I must go,” she said, wishing to flee from the room before the weeping began.
“We depart in the morning. Be sure that Jane packs your things.”
“Whatever you say.”
With that, she fled the room, and once in the hall, she closed her back against the door and silently wept. She brought her hands to her face, her entire body shaking. What was to become of her? What was to become of her love? Her state was so wretched, Margaret did not even know if she dared to go to her room and write John a letter.
Would it perhaps be better not to tell him? To disappear tomorrow morning, face her fate, and allow Jane to tell him what had transpired? No, that would be even worse. Margaret had to tell him, but she wished to do so in person so that he could hold her one more time. She longed to kiss him yet again and to feel safe in his presence.
It would be the last time. The very last time…
Margaret was in desperate need of Jane’s council. She walked down the hall, her legs so shaky that she was unsure if she could undertake it. Mustering all her strength, Margaret came up the stairs and to her room, where Jane was waiting for her.
“Oh, Jane!” she called out, rushing into her maid’s arms and allowing the tears to fall. “Jane, I am done!”
“What has happened?” Jane asked horror in her voice.
“My father has forced me to consent to marry Lord Darkmoor.”
“Forced you?”
“He said that his life is threatened. If I do not go about this business tomorrow morning, Father says that his debtors will kill him. Oh, Jane! I don’t know what to believe and scarce can tolerate my own thoughts. My soul is decimated.”
“Margaret.” Jane held onto her tight. “I feared that this would happen.”
“I was beginning to believe that I would be set free. I thought that I had the courage to run away with John. But with this latest threat, I don’t think that it will be possible. Oh, Jane. I must see John, but Father says that we depart tomorrow. Darkmoor has secured a special license.”
